Following the AGM on 25 March 2024, the nine committee members are:
Following the AGM on 25 March 2024, the nine committee members are:
On 8 March 2024 the Hon Ron Hoenig MP, Minister for Local Government, asked the NSW Standing Committee on State Development to inquire into and report on the ability of local governments to fund infrastructure and services. The terms of reference are:(a) the level of income councils require to adequately meet the needs of their […]
Council demerger campaigners in Pittwater are bitterly disappointed by Labor government proposals revealed last week that will make it harder for smaller councils forcibly amalgamated to go their own way.
Protect Pittwater is delighted that the Local Government Amendment (De-amalgamation Plebiscites) Bill 2023 was tabled in NSW Parliament this morning (22 November 2023). Upper House Member, Dr Amanda Cohn, tabled the private member’s Bill and referenced the plight of the Pittwater Community, together with 9 other disenfranchised NSW communities, in her passionate 2nd reading speech.
Pittwater’s demerger campaign has been reinvigorated by a new committee focused on regaining an independent council. Taking over as Protect Pittwater Association president is local lawyer Simon Dunn, the son of the first elected Pittwater Mayor Robert Dunn. The senior Mr. Dunn was at the forefront of the original and successful fight for Pittwater to […]
I am honoured to have been recently elected President of Protect Pittwater and to take up the cause so passionately championed by my predecessor, the late Bob Grace and by my own father, the late Robert Dunn. I grew up with the fight to establish Pittwater Council at times dominating our family life and now […]
“I’ve spent over 40 years surrounded by National Parks, reserves full of wildlife, extraordinary trees and pristine beaches. Why would I not fight to save Pittwater for future generations. One thing I’ve learned in my long fortunate life is that unless you fight for something you believe in nothing will happen.”
“Pittwater is not like its NB Council cousins, Manly and Warringah. Its typical landscape is sandstone ridges, steep forested hills and beaches, all bound by the waters of Pittwater, the Hawkesbury and the Pacific; it includes National Parks. Houses largely exist under a tree canopy, often in unfenced areas, allowing the free run of wildlife. […]
Protect Pittwater leaps across first hurdle in reinstatement case
Protect Pittwater’s proposal to reinstate Pittwater Council was presented to Hon. Ron Hoenig, Minister for Local Government, on 19 March by our committee members, President Simon Dunn, and Vice President Prof. Peter Gray. Jacqui Scruby, Member for Pittwater, accompanied us in a show of support.
Our submission included a summary of our comprehensive business case prepared by PP member Frank Peylaire, along with our petition, signed by nearly 5,000 residents from North Narrabeen to Barrenjoey.
Minister Hoenig was receptive to our presentation and reiterated comments previously made in parliament: amalgamations on the whole have been a failure, and large councils over time become inefficient.
The Minister confirmed that if our proposal meets legislative requirements, he will refer it to the Boundaries Commission for further consideration.
We now await the Ministerial assessment. If the proposal meets technical standards, the minister’s expectation is that the community wanting to reinstate Pittwater Council will have to meet the cost of drafting our implementation plan and ensuring our business plan is up-to-date.
Your committee is currently briefing consultants to assist in preparing this supporting documentation.
To support this critical next phase, we will be launching a fundraising campaign. We ask all members to please pay their 2025 membership dues and encourage others to join and support our cause.
